By ERIN GARDNER andLESLIE GARTRELLnewsroom@dailystandard.com

Although many people look forward to the rollout of sports betting in Ohio, local and state addiction specialists say it could open the door to a severely underreported illness - gambling addiction. [More]

The Ohio Casino Commission issued a strongly-worded statement to sports gaming stakeholders on Dec. 23 for failing to follow industry standards in advertising, including advertising to people under the legal betting age of 21 and lacking responsible gambling messaging.

Law enforcement officers warn scammers are preying on those in the giving spirit, especially seniors.

Approximately $1.7 billion was stolen from 92,371 elderly victims of fraud in 2021, according to the National Council on Aging.

COLDWATER - Village councilors at their regular meeting this week closed out the year by passing the 2023 budget.

Total appropriations are set at $6.42 million for next year, compared to $5.74 million in 2022.

A longtime comic strip is drawing to a close after 50 years. Today is the last edition of "Funky Winkerbean" as cartoonist Tom Batiuk is retiring the strip at the end of the year.

COLDWATER - The way Marion Local and St. Henry were playing on Friday, whichever team had momentum going its way at the final buzzer would get the win.

Compiled by Tom Haines

The Fort Recovery boys basketball team won its fifth straight game to improve to 7-1, beating Lincolnview 48-30 on the road Friday.